After some discussion, it was decided that the Jab, its uses, advantages and disadvantages would be the next topic in the Technical Series.

The jab is one of the most simple, yet most misunderstood attacks available to a fighter. So we are going to break it down a little starting with body mechanics.

A good jab, is a loose and relaxed attack. If you are tense when you try to jab, it will only slow it down. You must relax. Your lead hand should shoot straight out, then return along the same path. The closest distance between two points is always a straight line, so thats the path you want your hand to take.

The attack starts at the feet, through the hips, shoulder and on to the fist. However, you dont have to over do it when adding momentum to your punch. If you punch too hard, you wont be able to withdraw quick enough. The impact instead should come from a whipping motion, similar to that of snapping a towel. Your fist and arm will remain loose until impact, where it should clench upon impact, relax, and withdraw to original position. You should be hitting with the first two knuckles, and your arm should extend only about 90%. You dont want to fully lock out. Its may damage the elbow, as well as slow you down or set you up to get locked.

So there is a basic understanding of how to throw the punch, now comes, How can I use it?

TO GAUGE DISTANCE AND TIMING: You can work the jab over and over again, without exerting much energy. This will allow you to find your range, your opponents range and also it will allow you to judge his attributes. You can judge his footwork, reaction speed, his timing, and his posture. You are afforded this luxury by being able to keep him back, but also keep him busy by working a consistant jab alone, or in combination with other attacks.

AS AN OPENER: As an opening technique, it could be argued that there is nothing better than a good jab. Its you quickest attack, and it can easily confuse an opponents defense and create openings. A good jab can water your eyes heavily or stun you. Ali was known to KO with his jab.

AS A FEINT: Whenever fighting, when you choose to be evasive, to trap, draw, or feint, you are doing so for two reasons, (1), to time the committment of an opponent, such as a step forward, or a telegraphed attack. Myabe he tries to block your feint. The #2 reason is to find the timing for any gaps he may have between one movement to the next.

A jab is great for this. Say you are trying to time a committment. Take a half step back, causing him to step forward one whole step. As soon as you take the half step spring back forward with the jab, as he committs to his full step. You can do this going backwards as well if he is one of those raging bull types.

Another way you might use this is if he has quick hands, and can defend well. You can either feint the jab, baiting him to defend and leaving him open, or you can simply attack with the jab. If he has defended it successfully, his is not on the offensive, but on the defensive. Keep firing away cause he cant block everything.

TO FIND GAPS: A "gap" is a moment of inactivity on the part of the opponent. Usually this is found in the withdrawal of the opponents attack. He punches, then withdraws the fist back to his defensive structure. The time when he is withdrawing, until the time he attacks is his gap. Also his gap could be how long it takes to transition from one position to the next, such as from one attack, to the next. For example, how long it would take hime to execute an uppercut after having thrown a hook. Often these gaps a short, but a good jab is able to make use of these situations.

AS A STOP HIT: Despite not requiring the force of most punches, there are things you can do to fascilitate KO power in your jabs. You can use a falling step, a springing step, or a good slip, or bob and weave, to add weight and momentum to your punch, and to time your opponents gap, committment or opening.

So there is a brief overview of the jab. Im sure there is much I missed so please, feel free to critique and contribute.

_________________________
"When I let Go of who I am, I become who I might be." Lao Tzu

Perhaps we could all weigh in on this and describe ways in which we personally use the jab or, describe our experiences with it.

I use the jab whenever I'm out of optimum position (such as after a miss with the cross). In that sense, I'm using the jab not only as a means to score and keep HIM from scoring (defensive use) but to put my body back into the right position structurally.

I will also use the jab when circling toward the power (rear) hand of my opponent. As we are taught not to circle to the power side of our opponent (as it sets you up for the right hand), it becomes obvious that this is a rule that will have to be broken, otherwise all you would see are boxers constantly moving around in a tight, counter-clockwise circle (if in orthodox leads). So obviously this doesn't happen as people move laterally to cut off the ring and stalk you into a corner or against the ropes (cage, fence, wall, car, or whatever obstacle you might find yourself up against). Thus the jab is one means of safely enabling you to move toward the power hand (especially using the DOUBLE jab in this case).

The jab can be thrown as a sort of reverse hammerfist as well. I like this especially when I shoulder roll away from a straight punch. With good timing, it catches them wide open as they are throwing their shot. You'd treat this no differently than any other jab and use it as a set up for the cross or any other attack combination.

Another good use for the jab is as a set up a double leg shot. Moving around and throwing some good combinations to get my opponent thinking "upstairs" for a bit is a great set up. Then you come back in with the jab to get him on the defensive (moving his arms up to parry/block), change levels and shoot in for the takedown. This has got to be one of the easiest set ups in existance as it gets so many people.

Lastly, when throwing the jab, I don't want to have my head over my arm. That tends to raise you up and takes power away from the punch. I like to throw moving my head away from the punch, slightly toward the rear hand while stepping forward with my lead leg (this if I'm wanting to land the jab with a little more authority).

As with many of my punches, the fist can be horizontal of vertical. The problem with a vertical jab is the opening you leave to hit you in return. The elbow doesn't raise and the shoulder also stays low and keeps the chin uncovered. Nowhere are you more open to being hit than WHEN you're hitting. The harder I plan on hitting, the more rotation I put into the fist. One side benefit of this is you can't hyperextend your arm on a miss the way you can (and will) using a vertical punch.

Quote: I will also use the jab when circling toward the power (rear) hand of my opponent. As we are taught not to circle to the power side of our opponent (as it sets you up for the right hand), it becomes obvious that this is a rule that will have to be broken, otherwise all you would see are boxers constantly moving around in a tight, counter-clockwise circle

When moving to their power side you can waltz.

Quote:Another good use for the jab is as a set up a double leg shot.

Yep, post the jab and then change levels.

Quote:The jab can be thrown as a sort of reverse hammerfist as well. I like this especially when I shoulder roll away from a straight punch. With good timing, it catches them wide open as they are throwing their shot. You'd treat this no differently than any other jab and use it as a set up for the cross or any other attack combination.

Quote: Lastly, when throwing the jab, I don't want to have my head over my arm. That tends to raise you up and takes power away from the punch. I like to throw moving my head away from the punch, slightly toward the rear hand while stepping forward with my lead leg (this if I'm wanting to land the jab with a little more authority).

These last two quotes sound FUBAR to me but maybe something was lost in the translation, I think I need to see video to know what youíre doing exactly.

These last two quotes sound FUBAR to me but maybe something was lost in the translation, I think I need to see video to know what youíre doing exactly.

Tell ya what, getting a feel for them is even better. Where ya located? Perhaps we can train sometime? Showing is always better than telling. I love to train with everyone. I can show you how I make these work for me and perhaps you can give me some insight into YOUR training.

Tell ya what, getting a feel for them is even better. Where ya located? Perhaps we can train sometime? Showing is always better than telling. I love to train with everyone. I can show you how I make these work for me and perhaps you can give me some insight into YOUR training.

-John

Iíd like to train with you too sometime John. Unfortunately Iím closer to Alaska (Western Canada, up north) than I am to North Carolina.

As for my training

Boxing is the base for my striking with some Muay Thai added in (Iím a former amateur kick boxer)

Wrestling and Jujitsu make up my grappling (Iím a former high school wrestler)

I was training for MMA but Iím really too old for that now (40+), so I just train lightly these days.

Larry Holmes knocked people out with a lead straight. Don't confuse the lead straight with a jab. The mechanics are similar but totally different usage.

The lead straight looks like a jab, but is more akin to the cross. Basically, it's a straight punch delivered with force that is supposed to ko people like a cross. It's not fast as the jab but more powerful, and it's not powerful like the cross but faster.

That's a little Muay Thai for ya

Chen, thanks for doing this for me, I'm not so good on the outside and there's no way I'd be able to write like that, thanks man.

John, thanks for the extra info, the backfist has been a powerful tool in my arsenal but I rarely use them as my instincts tells me to either go for the jab or body hook, but it's just me that need more training.

Anyone got any questions?

-Taison out

_________________________
I got two fists.. Don't make me use my head as well!

As for the backfist, I use this alot in conjunction with my jab. If I can slip, the backfist is great for getting around obstructing limbs and making good contact. Or after a solid feint. If you work it enough, it can be as fast or perhaps faster than your jab.

_________________________
"When I let Go of who I am, I become who I might be." Lao Tzu